Quote Originally Posted by dmc91356 View Post
I think you are off by one strip. The discussion on leveling up happened in 647.
But nevertheless, the argument is still valid.

And yes, my argument about the SLA granting MCMW was done in bad faith to show were we could be going with the "but it could advance spellcasting every 2 levels".

The facts we know about DS are :
- It is homebrew
- It conditionaly adds damage on melee fighting based on CHA
- It adds utilitarian bonuses (like the glass thing)
- at least one of its level does not advance bard spellcasting

(Feel free to add any information, I guess it would be usefull to have a very complete list)

Other things I find noteworthy about the DS :
Julio being a level 10 DS does never cast any spell on-screen (even when fighting a very powerfull opponent).
It is described as a duelist class.

And so my conclusion: it could be possible that DS advance Bard casting in some of its level but we don't have the smallest hint that it would do that while we do have some information that at least one of its level does not.
So yes, I repeat myself : Elan not being a level 16+ bard and still able to cast a 6th level spell is deeply in "or Rich used an homebrew" territory.